Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1501730
spectively. He secured 10 wins in each of those commanding campaigns. Mees is halfway to that victory mark again with the 2023 season now exactly half- way complete. He now boasts five wins on the season already after winning just three en route to last year's crown. However, rather than running away with the points, Mees is still chasing Daniels. While his advantage has been signifi- cantly reduced, the remarkably consistent Daniels continues to hold a nine-point advantage (198-189) over Mees thanks to the still-perfect podium streak that he'll carry into next week- end's second-half opener in Lima. The fight should only get more interesting from here as the slate gets Half-Mile and TT heavy before concluding with a Mees' friendly doubleheader at Springfield. despite finishing just 0.160 of a second removed from the win. Daniels' teammate, JD Beach, edged Rackley Racing's Davis Fisher for fifth after the two tried and failed to attach themselves to the lead group earlier in the contest. JMC Racing Jarod Vanderkooi won his fight with Fastrack Racing's Bronson Bauman for seventh, while HRP Racing's Dan Bromley and G&G Racing's Kolby Carlile completed the top 10. Mees now has 15 wins in his last 20 Mile podiums in which he either finished first or was within a second of doing so. He was 1-18 in his first 19. Experi - ence matters on the Miles, a fact that title hopeful Daniels is learning the hard way in 2023. Mees was at his most domi- nant in 2017 and 2018, when he earned the title in runaway fashion by 89 and 93 points, re- ROUND 9 / JUNE 17, 2023 DU QUOIN STATE FAIRGROUNDS / DU QUOIN, ILLINOIS FLAT TRACK I PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FLAT TRACK P98 thing at this track is momentum—the more corner speed you can keep up, the more speed you've got at the end of the straightaway. At the end of the race, something with me—I just couldn't keep up their pace in the corners. That's what I was lacking in the end—so I couldn't pull 'em down the straightaways like before." 18 MAX WHALE 4TH SINGLES Red Bull KTM's Max Whale was about as excited as he's ever going to be to finish fourth. The Australian felt back on level ground with the Yamahas and Hondas at a Mile after being on the backfoot at the previous two rounds. "I had good pace all day," he said. "The track was awesome. I felt really good on the high line—that fourth place was definitely not for lack of trying. I led a few laps, and that's the first time I've led laps on a Mile since '21." MYOWNRACE 44 BRANDON ROBINSON 2ND SUPERTWINS Mission Roof Systems' Brandon Robinson earned his third podium the season. "The season has been a rollercoaster; some good moments and some really bad moments," he said. "I've hit the ground a lot this year. That three-week break was re- Despite finishing third, Daniels (32) is still leading the way in the SuperTwins Championship.